Welcome Home everyone. It’s great to be in the House of the Lord, Amen? I don’t know about you but, I get excited about digging into Word of God!
Remember last week we left off with Jesus giving His final instructions before His Ascension.
My Big Idea for today is that our blessed hope is near. My prayer for us today is that we would all, everyone of us be READY for His return. If you have your Bibles today you can join me in Acts chapter, verse
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 1:9-11
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
In order to help me share with you today, I have separated my thoughts into 2 sections or points.
The Lord’s Return
“…This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11
These are the details of His return. Let’s be clear here we are not talking about the rapture. The rapture event is not the 2nd coming of Christ. But after the Rapture and before the Millennial/1000-year reign of Christ. This is the 2nd coming of Jesus.
There are 3 points to Christ’s Ascension. The Ascension of Jesus to heaven was personal. It was a personal departure just as if you or I where to get on a plane to go somewhere else. He wasn’t Just a vapor/apparition that disappeared. It was His personal human body that left and they watched as he lifted off and away. His Ascension was personal and so will be the case for His return. The second point of His ascension was visible. As he was eventually hidden by a cloud. The disciples witnessed him drift away. They were looking intently in to the sky. It was Visible to anyone within the proximity of sight. Check this out!
At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the wilderness,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
Matthew 24:23-28
The visual aspects of Christ’s ascension will be multiplied at His return. His long-awaited return will be visible to all the world. Remember when the king arrives, his presence is made known/announced. His ascension was visible and so will be the case for His return. The ascension of Christ took place while they where standing on the Mount of Olives. That’s where He left and there is where He will return.
On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.
Zechariah 14:4
Christ’s ascension was from the Mount of Olives and so will be the case for His Return.
I don’t tell you these things to try to validate my belief. The Bible/God’s word is self-evident, self-explanatory, and self-fulfilling. But God wants to encourage us along the way, he gives us hope and expects that we walk by faith. Think about this, God through His word has given us the “How,” the “Who,” the “Where,” and the “Why” But he left out the “When” intentionally. So, we would conduct our lives and relationship with Christ Through faith. Pastor why is this so important? I’m so glad you asked.
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Roman 1:17
In order for us to apply the lifesaving Good news/Gospel of Jesus Christ we must encounter it through faith. We have enough information to encourage our faith, but faith is something that must be lived/acted out.
I’ll move on to my next point.
The Lord Jesus Will Return In Glory.
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
Acts 1:9-11
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
In the Old Testament, a cloud was often used to symbolize the glory/presence of God. In the wilderness The Holy Spirit Led the Israelites with a pillar of a cloud. The Sh’khinah glory or manner in which His Manifest presence is made known. In some cases this Sh’khinah glory is described through the word Kabod, meaning the “weight” or heaviness God’s glory represents or the weight of all that He is. Jesus Christ is the fullness of the weight or the manifest presence of God. And when He returns, He will come in the fullness of this glory. Let’s see what the scriptures say about this.
“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.
Daniel 7:13
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:2-3
And now in the words of Jesus…
“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
Matthew 26:64
When Jesus Returns, believe me when I say that it is serious business. He’s not coming to give himself over like the sacrificial lamb, rather His is coming to deal with the enemies of Israel. Coming like the Lion of Judah to take out the armies of Evil that prey upon this earth. He is coming with a heavenly army of saints that where previously raptured and glorified, and wed to the Groom, Yeshua Hamashiach/ Jesus the Messiah. The anointed one, the Holy one of Israel, and our Lord and Savior.
Here’s the rub, for those that are not taken up in the rapture and have still not accept Jesus Christ, this is the time of reckoning. Fates of the lost are sealed.
In Royal Rangers we have a Motto.
The Royal Ranger Motto-Ready: Ready for anything! Ready to work, play, serve, worship, live, and obey God’s Word.
Jesus is coming back soon. And He is looking for His church who is without spot or wrinkle. If we are ready when He comes, I believe the we will be taken up in the rapture. Not only spared great tribulation but, given authority to rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years. These end times things we read are not to scare us, but to give us hope. Hope in God’s plan for salvation, yours and mine.
Will you join me as we seek an authentic relationship united in Christ and each other? Rejecting division, embracing God’s reality in Jesus, and encouraging one another. It’s just between you and God. Here’s the thing, If we love God and abide in Christ we will find ourselves more and more loving each other. You will we more and you will love better. We will experience God in spirit and in truth and we will share that amongst each other. Share all the ways God has shown you mercy and grace. Will you allow the Holy Spirit to stir faith in someone through your testimony? Would you join me as the Holy Spirit moves on us to be unified in the spirit of Christ? These are the kingdom values. This is truly the work of God. The intentional actions of the body of Christ.
Remember the devil seeks only to kill steal and destroy. Steal your freedom, kill your joy, and destroy your destiny for hope and love. But God has a plan! He’s stealing from your neighbor, your family, and your loved ones today.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
Jesus, He’s the Son of the living God, and we can receive from Him today His Righteousness, His purpose and His calling. Will you call on him today? Your salvation/forgiveness is just one prayer away. Will you trust in his ability to do what He said He would do? Will you believe today? Many of you need a fresh touch from God today. Is there some form of unbelief or a fracture of trust as it relates to God in your life today? God wants to redeem and restore those areas of your life? He wants to restore Joy and hope for you today. You’re hearing this now and the Holy Spirit has brought someone or something to mind. He wants to speak life into this today. He wants to bring healing in this area today. There are areas of deep regret when it comes to your relationship with God and you have rejected Christ as your savior …It’s not too late.
It’s not too late to humble yourself before him today, hold out your arms and open your hands to receive from him today. Will you say yes to Jesus, today? Will you bow your heads with me? Some of you already know the Lord, but maybe he’s put something on your heart that you need to deal with, you need to ask his forgiveness today. If that’s you will you just acknowledge that to him today. This is just you and God here.
Now someone here may not have that relationship with Jesus and today you’ve felt him tugging at your heart, you’ve been hurt, and you’re guarded, I know. Jesus is here and wants set things right in your life. If you’ll say Pastor, I want Jesus to be my Lord and savior. Remember, it’s just you and God here. Will you pray with me today, We’ll pray here as a family and you can repeat after me?
Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. I ask you today for your forgiveness. I believe that you died for my sins and on that 3rd day, you rose from the dead. I ask you to come into my heart today. I trust and follow you as my Lord and savior. Guide me and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name Amen.
“‘“The Lord bless you
Numbers 6:24-26
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’